Wrecked my truck - Should I buy it back?

[GPangrle]

When you buy a forty thousand dollar truck and insure it the policy is for the 40k truck. If you add 20k in accessories you should notify your agent of the increased value. the insurance company isnt going to give you 60k insurance for a 40k premium. I notify my insurance when I put A cap on, my Rickson 19. 5s on.

 

[Junior]

Going to sell that Clarion?

I have same year so if you are parting it out let me know of things you are sell and price.

How are the Wheels and Tires?

Air horns?

 

[MMeier]

When you buy a forty thousand dollar truck and insure it the policy is for the 40k truck. If you add 20k in accessories you should notify your agent of the increased value. the insurance company isnt going to give you 60k insurance for a 40k premium. I notify my insurance when I put A cap on, my Rickson 19. 5s on.

If you buy it right, otherwise "regular" insurance will not get you covered for what you have in it 9. 5 times out of 10. Read your policy.

 

[dclassens]

I have read this post many many times. I am with Pete(PToombs), I would NOT rule out buying a truck of the same vintage. I purchased a 02 BRAND new in june of 02. I was hit very hard by a honda accord who crosses the center line. I planned on keeping this truck forever and it just didnt happen.



There are 2nd gen trucks on auto trader right now with 30k and 40k, and in fantastic shape. You could take the wrecked truck, along with the pay off and be right where you were at. Truck paid off, beautiful truck without emmisions, dpf, thin paint. Dont get me wrong, the new trucks are really nice but if these options were in front of me, I would re-use all the known good accessories on a low mile 02 and be set for another 20 years. This is just my opinion. Good luck and glad you were not hurt!!



Dave

 

[JR2]

Loren,
Save your self some trouble, take all your stuff off the truck and auction off the truck. You get your stuff back and will still get $4-10K for the truck. I have seen several totaled dodges (no good body panels, axles ripped off, etc) sell for that much.

Sorry for your loss, but think of it as a new start.

 

[Loren]

Dave and JR,



You are both giving me good advice, even though it conflicts. At this point, it seems to be my preference.



I suppose I should point out that I didn't install all those accessories because I enjoyed it. I did the installation myself because I don't trust others to do it right.



If I bought a used second generation truck the first problem would be finding one that suits me. That's not impossible, but it would be a pain. Then I would have the task of removing all of my accessories and installing them on the replacement truck. Since I don't enjoy this work, that would be hours of nuisance. The advantage is that I would get a replacement truck for a fraction of the cost of a new one.



The alternative plan -- buying a new truck -- doesn't involve any searching at all. My Dodge dealer can get anything I want (limited to what Dodge is making). I can then start from scratch with accessories, installing only those that I really want. I can get all the accessories I want to keep from my wrecked truck and then either part it out or sell it as a whole truck. While this option would cost a lot more, the amount of work involved is substantially less, and in spite of the fact that the 3rd generation trucks aren't as good looking, I'll have a brand new truck again.



I'll probably buy a new truck.



Loren

 

[dclassens]

Loren, I agree with you, as you make some GREAT points. Like I stated in my last post, I wanted to keep my 02 for a LONG time. My goal was 500K miles. The first thing I did when it got wrecked was to call/email TomeyGun(Tom Chaney) and get a price on a 03/04. I will admit I am very stuck in that era(00-02). I have been searching for just the right truck.



I hope you like your new truck as much as you did your old, as I know it is sometimes hard to fill a certain void.



Dave



PS~Why don't you just drive the 1995?

 

[Cummins Thunder]

I would like the seats if EagleEye decides he does not want them and they are dark gray.

 

[Loren]

PS~Why don't you just drive the 1995?

Dave,



For the same reason that I bought the 2000 truck. The '95 is an automatic.



Also, after having a Quad-Cab, and now with grandchildren, I don't want to return to a regular cab. I do like that long bed on the '95 though.



I found out that my 1995 diesel will only bring about $6000 as a trade in on a new truck. I guess I'll keep it. Maybe my grandson will get it when he's old enough.



Loren

 

[Loren]

I would like the seats if EagleEye decides he does not want them and they are dark gray.

Cummins Thunder,



I am already talking about selling the whole truck (after I remove selected items) to someone. That would definitely be the easiest route. If that deals falls through, I'll be going through this post before I offer anything for sale to the general public.



The seats are dark gray (Agate).



Loren

 

[JR2]

Cummins Thunder,



I am already talking about selling the whole truck (after I remove selected items) to someone. That would definitely be the easiest route. If that deals falls through, I'll be going through this post before I offer anything for sale to the general public.



The seats are dark gray (Agate).



Loren

Loren,

That was what I was suggesting you do. Take what you want and dump the truck for what you can get. Parting out (and selling all the parts) is a pain and best left to someone who does it for a living. Here in AK lots of the "totaled" trucks get rebuilt (right or wrong it happens) so the market for junkers is good.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Loren,



Sorry to hear of your accident, but I'm glad you're ok. I would do the same as you - buy back the truck from the ins. co. Good luck.



Dave

 

[Loren]

Loren,



Sorry to hear of your accident, but I'm glad you're ok. I would do the same as you - buy back the truck from the ins. co. Good luck.



Dave

Dave,



Thanks. Long time, no hear.



I called the insurance company yesterday and they are sending me a check for the value of the truck, less the deductible, less the $3000 buyback for the truck.



Thanks to all for the great suggestions and ideas. After the accident it was several days before I could manage any rational, well-thought-out decisions. You all helped.



Loren

 

[Extreme1]

Glad to hear you are happy with the results consiering the situation. I was able to buy mine back for the high bid that the insurance company received on their auction website - $1,800! I drove it home and it never left the driveway.

 

[Junior]

If you start parting it let us know. still interested

 

[Loren]

If you start parting it let us know. still interested

Junior (and others who are interested),



I have been contacted by a couple of members who are interested in buying the entire truck. Since I don't want to go into the truck salvage business, I will try to sell the truck to one of these guys as a package.



I am removing most of the aftermarket accessories before I let the truck go, so it will be quite a while before I can sell it.



As I said earlier, if I do wind up parting it out myself, I'll contact the posters on this thread before advertising anything. Thanks for your interest. I'll keep you informed.



Loren

 

[DerekW]

if you have any cats on the truck they are worth $75-85. mirrors 15 and up on ebay. cummins engines on ebay are the easiest thing to sell and bring in alot of money. the automatic transmission is best sold if it has aftermarket stuff on it. if not you can sell it to ATS for $300 is what they bought one of mine for. transfer case is a toss up between transmission builder, ebay, or online classified to find a seller. driveshafts with good universals I have had better luck on ebay with. stock aluminum wheels if you have them is a toss up between if you want cash now at scrap yard or spend money and sell for more in the long run on ebay. aftermarket wheels i'd just classify here on tdr. axle assemblies from these trucks are best sold Whole on ebay to the 4wd guys. suspension parts of aftermarket nature are easy to sell wherever including the paper. after fuel cell-tdr. interior is pieces is realy a toss up between ebay or scrap metal yard. theres plenty more but it requires more typing. but whatever you are left with throw in the cab drag it up on a trailer and take all your household trash and any metal at your house throw it in the cab and take junk parts your left with and pile them on top. then run the lawn sprinkler in the truck all night and soak everything to add wieght them grab a math nerd and take the remain to the scrap metal place. I have gotten scammed by the in the past and scammed my friends taking my stuff up there. Now I run the scam on them with water and such. you should take a math nerd to make sure they dont rip you off. I learned it the hard way and pay back is a real *****.



I have sold lots of aftermarket stuff off my truck on ebay and some stock stuff. parts for these trucks are some of the easiest things to sell out of anything I have parted out especially when aftermarket stuff is thrown into the mix.

 

[Loren]

Derek,



Thanks for the pointers. I appreciate knowing how I can get rid of the parts.



In spite of your advice, I'll probably still just sell the truck whole after I get my stuff off of it. Well, I guess it won't really be "whole". I've already removed the US Gear overdrive so the transfer case is out. I don't intend to re-install it, since whoever buys the truck will probably just take it out again. Also the drive shafts won't fit with the transfer case back in its original location. I guess they'll just be lying in the bed for whoever buys the truck.



The salesman who sold me my new 2008 truck told me that $3000 was a bargain for my wrecked truck. He thought I should be able to get AT LEAST $4000 for the truck, even after I get my accessories off. We'll see.



The weather in Indiana right now is just too cold to work on the truck outside, so it sits with most of the accessories still on it. I am getting the high priority items off as I can. The BrakeSmart brake controller is next on the list, since I'll need that immediately if I want to pull anything with the new truck.



After that, items will be removed as I can find the time to do something with them. I probably won't finish this project for several months. My son-in-law, with a 2001 gasser has dibs on a few items that won't fit the new truck, but most of the good stuff will either be sold or go on the new truck.



Thanks again to all for the excellent suggestions. I knew I could count on the combined wisdom of TDR members to guide me.



Loren